Splice for a soil reinforcing element or connector

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for splicing a soil reinforcing element to a grid-strip. The apparatus may include a splice having a first block plate defining one or more first longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element, and a second block plate defining one or more second longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires of a grid-strip. The first block plate and second block plate are further configured such that the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are retained in at least one of the respective one or more first and second longitudinal grooves when the first and second block plate are coupled to one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/887,907, entitled “Splice for a Soil Reinforcing Element or Connector,” which was filed on Sep. 22, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/684,479, entitled “Wave Anchor Soil Reinforcing Connector and Method,” which was filed on Jan. 8, 2010. Each patent application identified above is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Retaining wall structures that use horizontally positioned soil inclusions to reinforce an earth mass in combination with a facing element are referred to as Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) structures. MSE structures can be used for various applications including retaining walls, bridge abutments, dams, seawalls, and dikes. Basic MSE technology involves a repetitive process by which layers of backfill and several horizontally placed soil reinforcing elements are sequentially positioned one atop the other until a desired height of the earthen structure is achieved.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a typical soil reinforcing element 100 that can be used in the construction of an MSE structure. The soil reinforcing element 100 generally includes a welded wire grid having a pair of longitudinal wires 102 that are disposed substantially parallel to each other. The longitudinal wires 102 are joined to a plurality of transverse wires 104 in a generally perpendicular fashion by welds or other attachment means at their intersections, thus forming the welded wire grid. In some applications, there may be more than two longitudinal wires 102. The longitudinal wires 102 may have lead ends 106 that generally converge toward one another, as illustrated, and terminate at a wall end 108. In other applications, however, the lead ends 106 do not converge, but instead terminate substantially parallel to one another. Backfill material and a plurality of soil reinforcing elements 100 are then combined and compacted sequentially to form a solid earthen structure taking the form of a standing earthen wall.

The wall end 108 of each soil reinforcing element 100 may include several different connective means adapted to connect the soil reinforcing element 100 to a substantially vertical facing 110, such as a wire facing, or concrete or steel facings constructed a short distance from the standing earthen wall. Once appropriately secured to the vertical facing 110 and compacted within the backfill, the soil reinforcing element 100 provides tensile strength to the vertical facing 110 that significantly reduces any outward movement and shifting thereof.

The longitudinal wires 102 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may extend several feet into the backfill before terminating at corresponding reinforcing ends 112. Where added amounts of tensile resistance are required, longer soil reinforcing elements 100 are required, thereby disposing the reinforcing ends 112 even deeper into the backfill. Single soil reinforcing elements 100, however, often cannot be manufactured to the lengths required to adequately reinforce the vertical facing 110, nor could such soil reinforcing elements 100 of extended lengths be safely or feasibly transported to job sites.

What is needed, therefore, is a system and method of splicing a soil reinforcing element to extend its length.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a splice for a soil reinforcing element. The splice may include a first block plate defining one or more first longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element, and a second block plate defining one or more second longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires of a grid-strip. The first block plate and second block plate are further configured such that the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are retained in at least one of the respective one or more first and second longitudinal grooves when the first and second block plate are coupled to one another.

Embodiments of the disclosure may further provide a method for splicing a soil reinforcing element to a grid-strip. The method may include seating a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires proximal a reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element in one or more first longitudinal grooves defined by a first block plate, and seating a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires proximal a splicing end of the grid-strip in one or more second longitudinal grooves defined by a second block plate. The method may also include aligning a first block plate aperture defined by the first block plate with a second block plate aperture defined by the second block plate, and extending at least a portion of a fastener assembly through the first and second block plate apertures and securing the portion of a fastener assembly from removal, thereby splicing the soil reinforcing element to the grid-strip.

Embodiments of the disclosure may further provide a composite soil reinforcing element. The composite soil reinforcing element may include a soil reinforcing element having a plurality of soil reinforcing element longitudinal wires coupled to a plurality of soil reinforcing element transverse wires, the soil reinforcing element having a wall end and a reinforcing end. The composite soil reinforcing element may also include a grid-strip having a plurality of grid-strip longitudinal wires coupled to a plurality of grid-strip transverse wires, the grid-strip having a splicing end. The composite soil reinforcing element may further include a splice configured to couple the reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element to the splicing end of the grid-strip. The splice may include a first block plate defining one or more first longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of the plurality of soil reinforcing element longitudinal wires proximal the reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element, and a second block plate defining one or more second longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of the plurality of grid-strip longitudinal wires proximal the splicing end of the grid-strip. The splice may also include a fastener assembly, such that a portion of the fastener assembly is extensible through a first block plate aperture defined by the first block plate and a second block plate aperture defined by the second block plate to couple the first block plate to the second block plate, thereby coupling the reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element to the splicing end of the grid-strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying Figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a prior art soil reinforcing element.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a splice, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the splice shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a splice, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the splice shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of a splice, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the splice shown in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, or functions of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various exemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the various Figures. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Finally, the exemplary embodiments presented below may be combined in any combination of ways, i.e., any element from one exemplary embodiment may be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Additionally, certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, various entities may refer to the same component by different names, and as such, the naming convention for the elements described herein is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, unless otherwise specifically defined herein. Further, the naming convention used herein is not intended to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Additionally, in the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” All numerical values in this disclosure may be exact or approximate values unless otherwise specifically stated. Accordingly, various embodiments of the disclosure may deviate from the numbers, values, and ranges disclosed herein without departing from the intended scope. Furthermore, as it is used in the claims or specification, the term “or” is intended to encompass both exclusive and inclusive cases, i.e., “A or B” is intended to be synonymous with “at least one of A and B,” unless otherwise expressly specified herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-4B, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a joint or splice 200, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a joint or splice 300, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, and FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a joint or splice 400, according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure. The splice 200,300,400 may be employed to lengthen the extent of a soil reinforcing element 100, such as the soil reinforcing element 100 generally described above with reference to FIG. 1. Extending the length of the soil reinforcing element 100 may prove advantageous where the soil reinforcing element 100 is not long enough to adequately reinforce a vertical facing 110 (FIG. 1) into adjacent backfill (not shown).

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, several designs of soil reinforcing elements 100 having numerous connective devices for attaching the soil reinforcing element 100 to a vertical facing 110 can be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the soil reinforcing elements and their various connective devices described in co-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,517,293 and 7,722,296 may be used. The contents of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent consistent with the present disclosure. Other examples of soil reinforcing elements and their exemplary connective devices that may be appropriately used with the splice 200,300,400 disclosed herein include co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/479,448, 12/756,898, 12/818,011, 12/837,347, and 12/861,632 filed on Jun. 5, 2009, Apr. 8, 2010, Jun. 17, 2010, Jul. 15, 2010, and Aug. 23, 2010, respectively. The contents of each of these applications are also hereby incorporated by reference to the extent consistent with the present disclosure.

To effectively extend the length of a soil reinforcing element 100 into adjacent backfill (not shown), the splice 200,300,400 may couple one or more grid-strips 202 to the soil reinforcing element 100. The grid-strip 202 generally extends the length of the soil reinforcing element 100 to the length required for the particular MSE application. Similar to the soil reinforcing element 100, the grid-strip 202 may include a plurality of longitudinal wires 204 welded or otherwise attached to a plurality of transverse wires 206. Once coupled together, the combination of the soil reinforcing element 100, splice 200,300,400 and grid-strip 202 may be characterized or otherwise typified as a single composite soil reinforcing element, for purposes of reinforcing a vertical facing 110 (FIG. 1).

In one or more embodiments, the transverse wires 104,206 may be equally-spaced or substantially equally-spaced along the length of the longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202 and/or along the length of the longitudinal wires 102 the soil reinforcing element 100. In other embodiments, however, the spacing of the transverse wires 104,206 may only need to be equally-spaced at or near the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 and/or a splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202. In yet other embodiments, the spacing of the transverse wires 104, 206 may be irregular along the length of the longitudinal wires 102, 204, respectively.

Further, in one or more embodiments, the spacing between each transverse wire 104 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be the same or substantially the same as the spacing between each transverse wire 206 of the grid-strip 202. In another embodiment, the spacing between each transverse wire 104 of the soil reinforcing element 100 at the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may only need to be the same or substantially the same as the spacing between each transverse wire 206 of the grid-strip 202 at the splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202.

Looking now at FIGS. 2A and 2B, in an embodiment, the splice 200 may include one or more wave plates, such as a first wave plate 208 a and a second wave plate 208 b. In at least one embodiment, the first and second wave plates 208 a,b are mirror images of one another. Each wave plate 208 a,b may include one or more transverse protrusions 210 longitudinally-offset from each other. Each wave plate 208 a,b may further define one or more plate perforations, such as plate perforations 212 a, 212 b, and 212 c, as shown in FIG. 2B. Each transverse protrusion 210 may be configured to receive and/or seat either a transverse wire 104 from the soil reinforcing element 100 or a transverse wire 206 from the grid-strip 202. Accordingly, in embodiments having two or more transverse protrusions 210, each protrusion 210 may be spaced a predetermined distance from an adjacent protrusion 210 so as to correspond to the equally-spaced transverse wires 104, 206 of either the soil reinforcing element 100 or the grid-strip 202.

In one or more embodiments, one or more transverse wires 104 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the first wave plate 208 a. Likewise, one or more transverse wires 206 proximal a splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the second wave plate 208 b. As illustrated, the transverse wires 104 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be disposed above their respective longitudinal wires 102, and the transverse wires 206 of the grid-strip 202 may be disposed below their respective longitudinal wires 204. In other embodiments, however, the relative disposition of the transverse wires 104, 206 may be reversed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, the longitudinal wires 102 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be laterally-offset from the longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202.

As the wave plates 208 a,b are brought together, and the corresponding perforations 212 a,b,c of each wave plate 208 a,b are axially aligned, the transverse wire(s) 104 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be seated or otherwise received into the transverse protrusions 210 of the first wave plate 208 a, and the transverse wire(s) 206 of the grid-strip 202 may be seated or otherwise received into the transverse protrusions 210 of the opposing second wave plate 208 b. With the corresponding perforations 212 a,b,c generally aligned, the transverse wires 104 of the soil reinforcing element 100 disposed within corresponding transverse protrusions 210 of the first wave plate 208 a may be vertically-offset from the transverse wires 206 of the grid-strip 202 disposed within corresponding transverse protrusions 210 of the second wave plate 208 b.

The splice 200 may be secured by coupling the first wave plate 208 a to the second wave plate 208 b. This can be done in several ways. In at least one embodiment, a connective device 216, such as a threaded bolt or similar mechanism, may be extended through one or more of the perforations 212 a,b,c defined on each plate 208. While only two connective devices 216 are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, it will be appreciated that any number connective devices 216 may be employed as corresponding to an equal number of perforations 212 defined in the wave plates 208 a,b. In one embodiment, a single connective device 216 may be employed to couple the first wave plate 208 a to the second wave plate 208 b.

Each connective device 216 may be secured against removal from the splice 200 by threading a nut 218 or similar device onto its end. Furthermore, one or more washers 220 may also be used to provide a biasing engagement with each plate 208 a,b. As can be appreciated, the nut 218 and connective device 216 configuration may be substituted with any attachment methods known in the art. For instance, rebar or any other rigid rod may be used and bent over on each end to prevent its removal from the perforations 212 a,b,c, and thereby provide an adequate coupling mechanism.

Once the splice 200 is made secure, the transverse wires 104, 206 may be prevented from longitudinally escaping the splice 200 since they are seated in respective transverse protrusions 210. Tightening the nut(s) 218 onto the bolt(s) 216, or similar connection device, may clamp down on the longitudinal wires 102, 204 of the soil reinforcing element 100 and grid-strip 202, respectively, thereby preventing the soil reinforcing element 100 and/or grid-strip 202 from translating laterally and thereby escaping the splice 200.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in another embodiment, the splice 300 may include a first block plate 308 a and a second block plate 308 b. In at least one embodiment, the first and second block plates 308 a,b are mirror images of one another. Each block plate 308 a,b may define one or more longitudinal grooves 310 laterally-offset from each other. Each block plate 308 a,b may further define one or more block plate apertures, illustrated as first and second block plate apertures 312 a,b in FIG. 3B. At least one of the longitudinal grooves 310 may be configured to receive and seat either a portion of the longitudinal wire 102 from the soil reinforcing element 100 or a portion of the longitudinal wire 204 from the grid-strip 202. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal grooves 310 may be spaced laterally apart in the first and second block plates 308 a,b by a predetermined distance so as to correspond to the spacing between the longitudinal wires 102,204 of either the soil reinforcing element 100 or the grid-strip 202. In another embodiment, the number of longitudinal grooves 310 defined in the first and second block plates 308 a,b may be determined by the corresponding number of longitudinal wires 102,204 of the soil reinforcing element 100 and the grid-strip 202, respectively.

In one or more embodiments, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308 a. Likewise, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the second block plate 308 b. In another embodiment, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308 a. Likewise, in another embodiment, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the second block plate 308 b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308 a may be interposed between transverse wires 104 of the soil reinforcing element 100. The transverse wires 104 may include a soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and a soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122, such that each may be disposed below their respective longitudinal wires 102. Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the second block plate 308 b may be interposed between transverse wires 206 of the grid strip 202. The transverse wires 206 may include a grid-strip first transverse wire 220 and a grid-strip second transverse wire 222, such that each may be disposed above their respective longitudinal wires 204.

As noted above, in another embodiment, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308 a. In such a configuration, the transverse wires 206 of the grid-strip 202 may be disposed below their respective longitudinal wires 204. Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the second block plate 308 b. In such a configuration, the transverse wires 104 may be disposed above their respective longitudinal wires 102.

As the block plates 308 a,b are brought together, and the corresponding block plate apertures 312 a,b of each block plate 308 a,b are axially aligned, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 of the soil reinforcing element 100 interposed between the soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 may be seated or otherwise received into the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308 a. Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202 interposed between the grid-strip first transverse wire 220 and the grid-strip second transverse wire 222 may be seated or otherwise received into the respective longitudinal grooves 310 of the opposing second block plate 308 b.

With the corresponding block plate apertures 312 a,b generally aligned, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 of the soil reinforcing element 100 disposed within corresponding longitudinal grooves 310 of the first block plate 308 a may be vertically-offset offset from the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202 disposed within corresponding longitudinal grooves 310 of the second block plate 308 b. Upon the first and second block plates 308 a,b contacting one another, a first end 322 of the first and second block plates 308 a,b may be proximal to adjacent transverse wires 104,206, and a second end 324 of the first and second block plates 308 a,b may be proximal to adjacent transverse wires 104,206.

More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the first end 322 of the first and second block plates 308 a,b may be proximal to the soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second transverse wire 222, where the soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second transverse wire 222 may be adjacent to one another. The soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second transverse wire 222 may be further interposed between the longitudinal wires 102,204 as shown in FIG. 3A. Correspondingly, the second end 324 of the first and second block plates 308 a,b may be proximal to the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first transverse wire 220, where the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first transverse wire 220 may be adjacent to one another. The soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first transverse wire 220 may be further interposed between the longitudinal wires 102,204 as shown in FIG. 3A.

The splice 300 may be secured by coupling the first block plate 308 a to the second block plate 308 b. This can be done in several ways. In at least one embodiment, a fastener assembly including a connective device 316, such as a threaded bolt or similar mechanism, and a nut 318 may be utilized. The connective device 316 may be extended through one or more of the block plate apertures 312 a,b defined in each plate 308 a,b. While only two connective devices 316 are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, it will be appreciated that any number connective devices 316 may be employed as corresponding to an equal number of block plate apertures 312 a,b defined in the block plates 308 a,b. In one embodiment, a single connective device 316 may be employed to couple the first block plate 308 a to the second block plate 308 b.

Each connective device 316 may be secured against removal from the splice 300 by threading the nut 318 or similar device onto its end. Furthermore, one or more washers 320 may also be used to provide a biasing engagement with each block plate 308 a,b. As can be appreciated, the fastener assembly may include any attachment structures and/or methods known in the art. For instance, rebar or any other rigid rod may be used and bent over on each end to prevent its removal from the block plate apertures 312 a,b and thereby provide an adequate coupling mechanism.

Once the splice 300 is made secure, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102, 204 may be prevented from laterally escaping the splice 300 since they are seated in respective longitudinal grooves 310. Tightening the nut(s) 318 onto the bolt(s) 316, or similar connection device, may substantially reduce or eliminate the ability of the soil reinforcing element 100 and/or grid-strip 202 to translate vertically and escape the splice 300 in such a manner. Further, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102,204 may be prevented from longitudinally escaping the splice 300 since the adjacent transverse wires 120,222 are disposed proximal to the first end 322 of the first and second block plates 308 a,b, and the adjacent transverse wires 122,220 are disposed proximal to the second end 324 of the first and second block plates 308 a,b. The application of the first and second block plates 308 a,b in conjunction with the transverse wires 104,206 and the connecting device 316 provide shear resistance when opposing loads may be applied to the splice 300.

Looking now at FIGS. 4A and 4B, another embodiment of the splice 400 is depicted. The splice 400 may include a first block plate 408 a and a second block plate 408 b. Each block plate 408 a,b may define one or more longitudinal grooves 410 laterally-offset from each other. Each block plate 408 a,b may further define one or more block plate apertures, illustrated as first and second block plate apertures 412 a,b in FIG. 4B. At least one of the longitudinal grooves 410 may be configured to receive and seat either a portion of the longitudinal wire 102 from the soil reinforcing element 100 or a portion of the longitudinal wire 204 from the grid-strip 202. In an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal grooves 410 may be spaced laterally apart in the block plates 408 a,b by a predetermined distance so as to correspond to the spacing between the longitudinal wires 102,204 of either the soil reinforcing element 100 or the grid-strip 202. In another embodiment, the number of longitudinal grooves 410 defined in the first and second block plates 408 a,b may be determined by the corresponding number of longitudinal wires 102,204 of the soil reinforcing element 100 and the grid-strip 202, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, each block plate 408 a,b may include at least one transverse channel 430 and at least one transverse protrusion 432 longitudinally-offset from the transverse channel 430. The transverse channel 430 of the first block plate 408 a is configured to receive and seat the transverse protrusion 432 of the second block plate 408 b therein when the first and second block plates 408 a,b are brought together. Correspondingly, the transverse channel 430 of the second block plate 408 b is configured to receive and seat the transverse protrusion 432 of the first block plate 408 a therein when the first and second block plates 408 a,b are brought together.

In one or more embodiments, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408 a. Likewise, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the second block plate 408 b. In another embodiment, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408 a. Likewise, in another embodiment, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the second block plate 408 b.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408 a may be interposed between transverse wires 104 of the soil reinforcing element 100. The transverse wires 104 may include a soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and a soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122, such that each may be disposed below their respective longitudinal wires 102. Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the second block plate 408 b may be interposed between transverse wires 206 of the grid strip 202. The transverse wires 206 may include a grid-strip first transverse wire 220 and a grid-strip second transverse wire 222, such that each may be disposed above their respective longitudinal wires 204.

As noted above, in another embodiment, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 proximal a splicing end 214 of the grid-strip 202 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408 a. In such a configuration, the transverse wires 206 of the grid-strip 202 may be disposed below their respective longitudinal wires 204. Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 proximal the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 may be coupled to or otherwise seated within the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the second block plate 408 b. In such a configuration, the transverse wires 104 may be disposed above their respective longitudinal wires 102.

As the block plates 408 a,b are brought together, and the corresponding block plate apertures 412 a,b of each block plate 408 a,b are axially aligned, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 of the soil reinforcing element 100 interposed between the soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 may be seated or otherwise received into the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408 a. Correspondingly, the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202 interposed between the grid-strip first transverse wire 220 and the grid-strip second transverse wire 222 may be seated or otherwise received into the respective longitudinal grooves 410 of the opposing second block plate 408 b.

With the corresponding block plate apertures 412 a,b generally aligned and the transverse channels 430 of the first block plate 408 a and second block plate 408 b receiving and seating therein the transverse protrusions 432 of the second block plate 408 b and the first block plate 408 a, respectively, the portion of the longitudinal wires 102 of the soil reinforcing element 100 disposed within corresponding longitudinal grooves 410 of the first block plate 408 a may be vertically-offset from the portion of the longitudinal wires 204 of the grid-strip 202 disposed within corresponding longitudinal grooves 410 of the second block plate 408 b. Upon the first and second block plates 408 a,b contacting one another, a first end 422 of the first and second block plates 408 a,b may be proximal to adjacent transverse wires 104,206, and a second end 424 of the first and second block plates 408 a,b may be proximal to adjacent transverse wires 104,206.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first end 422 of the first and second block plates 408 a,b may be proximal to the soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second transverse wire 222, where the soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second transverse wire 222 may be adjacent to one another. The soil reinforcing element first transverse wire 120 and grid-strip second transverse wire 222 may be further interposed between the longitudinal wires 102,204 as shown in FIG. 4A. Correspondingly, the second end 424 of the first and second block plates 408 a,b may be proximal to the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first transverse wire 220, where the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first transverse wire 220 may be adjacent to one another. The soil reinforcing element second transverse wire 122 and grid-strip first transverse wire 220 may be further interposed between the longitudinal wires 102,204 as shown in FIG. 4A.

The splice 400 may be secured by coupling the first block plate 408 a to the second block plate 408 b. This can be done in several ways. In at least one embodiment, a fastener assembly including a connective device 416, such as a threaded bolt or similar mechanism, and a nut 418 may be utilized. The connective device 416 may be extended through one or more of the block plate apertures 412 a,b defined in each plate 408 a,b. While only two connective devices 416 are shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it will be appreciated that any number connective devices 416 may be employed as corresponding to an equal number of block plate apertures 412 a,b defined in the block plates 408 a,b. In one embodiment, a single connective device 416 may be employed to couple the first block plate 408 a to the second block plate 408 b.

Each connective device 416 may be secured against removal from the splice 400 by threading the nut 418 or similar device onto its end. Furthermore, one or more washers 420 may also be used to provide a biasing engagement with each block plate 408 a,b. As can be appreciated, the fastener assembly may include any attachment structures and/or methods known in the art. For instance, rebar or any other rigid rod may be used and bent over on each end to prevent its removal from the block plate apertures 412 a,b and thereby provide an adequate coupling mechanism.

Once the splice 400 is made secure, the longitudinal wires 102, 204 may be prevented from laterally escaping the splice 400 since they are seated in respective longitudinal grooves 410. Tightening the nut(s) 418 onto the bolt(s) 416, or similar connection device, may substantially reduce or eliminate the ability of the soil reinforcing element 100 and/or grid-strip 202 to translate vertically and escape the splice 400 in such a manner. Further, the longitudinal wires 102,204 may be prevented from longitudinally escaping the splice 400 since the adjacent transverse wires 120,222 are disposed proximal to the first end 422 of the first and second block plates 408 a,b and the adjacent transverse wires 122,220 are disposed proximal to the second end 424 of the first and second block plates 408 a,b. The application of the first and second block plates 408 a,b having transverse protrusions 432 received therein by transverse channels 430 in conjunction with the transverse wires 104,206 and the connecting device 416 provide shear resistance when opposing loads may be applied to the splice 400.

As will be appreciated, any number or combination of splices 200,300,400 and grid-strips 202 may be used to extend the length of a single soil reinforcing element 100 and create a composite soil reinforcing element that achieves a desired reinforcing distance from the vertical facing 110 (FIG. 1). For instance, if splicing a first grid-strip 202 to the reinforcing end 112 of the soil reinforcing element 100 does not extend a sufficient distance into the backfill (not shown), a second grid-strip 202 may be spliced to the end of the first grid-strip 202, and so on until the desired distance is achieved. Accordingly, multiple splices 200,300,400 and multiple grid-strips 202 may be used to extend the length of a single soil reinforcing element 100.

The foregoing has outlined features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

1. A splice for a soil reinforcing element, comprising: a first block plate defining one or more first longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element; and a second block plate defining one or more second longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires of a grid-strip, wherein the first block plate and second block plate are further configured such that the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are retained in at least one of the respective one or more first and second longitudinal grooves when the first and second block plate are coupled to one another.
 2. The splice of claim 1, wherein the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element is interposed between a soil reinforcing element first transverse wire and a soil reinforcing element second transverse wire attached to the soil reinforcing element, and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip is interposed between a grid-strip first transverse wire and a grid-strip second transverse wire attached to the grid-strip.
 3. The splice of claim 2, wherein the first block plate and second block plate are further configured such that the soil reinforcing element first transverse wire and the grid-strip second transverse wire are adjacent to one another and proximal to a first end of the first and second block plate, and the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire and the grid-strip first transverse wire are adjacent to one another and proximal to a second end of the first and second block plate when the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are seated and retained in the at least one of the respective one or more first and second longitudinal grooves and the first and second block plate are coupled to one another.
 4. The splice of claim 3, wherein the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are seated and retained in the at least one of the respective one or more first and second longitudinal grooves such that the first and second soil reinforcing element transverse wires and the first and second grid-strip transverse wires are interposed between one or more of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and one or more of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip.
 5. The splice of claim 1, further comprising a fastener assembly, wherein the first block plate further defines at least one first block plate aperture and the second block plate further defines at least one second block plate aperture, the at least one first block plate aperture and the at least one second block aperture configured to receive at least a portion of the fastener assembly therethrough such that the first block plate and the second block plate are coupled to one another.
 6. The splice of claim 5, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a threaded bolt and a nut, the threaded bolt configured to be inserted through at least one of the first and second block apertures and the nut configured to be threaded to an end of the threaded bolt.
 7. The splice of claim 1, wherein the first and second block plates are configured such that the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element is vertically offset from the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip when the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are seated in the at least one of the respective one or more first and second longitudinal grooves and the first and second block plate are coupled to one another.
 8. The splice of claim 1, wherein the first block plate forms at least one first block plate transverse protrusion and the first block plate further defines at least one first block plate transverse channel, and the second block plate forms at least one second block plate transverse protrusion and the second block further defines at least one second block plate transverse channel.
 9. The splice of claim 8, wherein the at least one first block plate transverse channel is configured to receive and seat therein the at least one second block plate transverse protrusion, and the at least one second block plate transverse channel is configured to receive and seat therein the at least one first block plate transverse protrusion.
 10. The splice of claim 9, wherein the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element is interposed between a soil reinforcing element first transverse wire and a soil reinforcing element second transverse wire attached to the soil reinforcing element, and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip is interposed between a grid-strip first transverse wire and a grid-strip second transverse wire attached to the grid-strip.
 11. The splice of claim 10, wherein the first block plate and second block plate are further configured such that the soil reinforcing element first transverse wire and the grid-strip second transverse wire are adjacent to one another and proximal to a first end of the first and second block plate, and the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire and the grid-strip first transverse wire are adjacent to one another and proximal to a second end of the first and second block plate when the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are seated and retained in the at least one of the respective one or more first and second longitudinal grooves and the first and second block plate are coupled to one another.
 12. The splice of claim 11, wherein the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip are seated and retained in the at least one of the respective one or more first and second longitudinal grooves such that the first and second soil reinforcing element transverse wires and the first and second grid-strip transverse wires are interposed between one or more of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and one or more of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip.
 13. A method for splicing a soil reinforcing element to a grid-strip, comprising: seating a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires proximal a reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element in one or more first longitudinal grooves defined by a first block plate; seating a portion of a plurality of longitudinal wires proximal a splicing end of the grid-strip in one or more second longitudinal grooves defined by a second block plate; aligning a first block plate aperture defined by the first block plate with a second block plate aperture defined by the second block plate; and extending at least a portion of a fastener assembly through the first and second block plate apertures and securing the portion of a fastener assembly from removal, thereby splicing the soil reinforcing element to the grid-strip.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a threaded bolt and a nut, and extending the at least a portion of the fastener assembly comprises inserting the threaded bolt through the first and second block plate apertures and securing the threaded bolt from removal by threading the nut to an end of the threaded bolt.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element is interposed between a soil reinforcing element first transverse wire and a soil reinforcing element second transverse wire attached to the soil reinforcing element, and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip is interposed between a grid-strip first transverse wire and a grid-strip second transverse wire attached to the grid-strip.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising aligning the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the soil reinforcing element and the portion of the plurality of longitudinal wires of the grid-strip, such that the soil reinforcing element first transverse wire and the grid-strip second transverse wire are adjacent to one another and proximal to a first end of the first and second block plate, and the soil reinforcing element second transverse wire and the grid-strip first transverse wire are adjacent to one another and proximal to a second end of the first and second block plate.
 17. A composite soil reinforcing element, comprising: a soil reinforcing element having a plurality of soil reinforcing element longitudinal wires coupled to a plurality of soil reinforcing element transverse wires, the soil reinforcing element having a wall end and a reinforcing end; a grid-strip having a plurality of grid-strip longitudinal wires coupled to a plurality of grid-strip transverse wires, the grid-strip having a splicing end; and a splice configured to couple the reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element to the splicing end of the grid-strip, the splice comprising: a first block plate defining one or more first longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of the plurality of soil reinforcing element longitudinal wires proximal the reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element; a second block plate defining one or more second longitudinal grooves configured to receive and seat a portion of the plurality of grid-strip longitudinal wires proximal the splicing end of the grid-strip; and a fastener assembly, wherein a portion of the fastener assembly is extensible through a first block plate aperture defined by the first block plate and a second block plate aperture defined by the second block plate to couple the first block plate to the second block plate, thereby coupling the reinforcing end of the soil reinforcing element to the splicing end of the grid-strip.
 18. The composite soil reinforcing element of claim 17, wherein the fastener assembly comprises a threaded bolt and a nut, at least a portion of the threaded bolt configured to be inserted through the first and second block plate aperture and the nut configured to be threadingly attached to an end of the at least a portion of the threaded bolt.
 19. The composite soil reinforcing element of claim 17, wherein the first block plate forms at least one first block plate transverse protrusion and further defines at least one first block plate transverse channel, and the second block plate forms at least one second block plate transverse protrusion and further defines at least one second block plate transverse channel.
 20. The composite soil reinforcing element of claim 19, wherein the at least one first block plate transverse channel is configured to receive and seat therein the at least one second block plate transverse protrusion, and the at least one second block plate transverse channel is configured to receive and seat therein the at least one first block plate transverse protrusion. 